A bill that was introduced in the South Dakota State Senate that would have required the state's public school students to use locker rooms, shower rooms and changing facilities matching the gender they were assigned at birth was withdrawn yesterday. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Lance Russell, who said he withdrew the bill because of Gov. Dennis Daugaard's promise to veto the bill if passed and because the legal defense team which promised to defend the bill withdrew its support because bathrooms were not included in the restrictions.

Dale Bartscher, who lobbies for a conservative group that supported the bill, said the governor's opposition was a "strong factor" in its withdrawal. Conversations had been ongoing about whether another bill would be introduced this year, but the organization decided against it, said Bartscher, of Family Heritage Alliance Action.

We withdrew to rise and come back another day and pursue the privacy of every student in a very dignified and appropriate way.

--Bartscher

The abrupt announcement that the South Dakota measure would be pulled was surprising to foes, who said they hoped the issue had been laid to rest. Jessie Lamphere, an 18-year-old transgender high school student from Sturgis who had planned to testify before lawmakers, said he was relieved.

I just want them to know that transgender boys are boys, and transgender girls are girls, and that's just who we are. We all want privacy and safety in locker rooms, and we're not in there to harm anyone. We're just in there to get dressed and get out.

We're just like every other child. We just want the same thing that everyone else does. We just want safety, privacy and to be accepted for who we are

--Lamphere

A ballot measure that would require transgender students to use bathrooms corresponding with their sex at birth may go before voters in 2018. Sponsor Jack Heyd, of Box Elder, has said he wants to protect children and ensure that students have privacy.

This issue is not going to go away.

--Bartscher